Dishcloth holder



Oct. 13 1925- M. WITHERBEE DISHCLOTH' HOLDER Filad June 15, 1923 Z 5 w m Patented 0st. 13, 1925.

UITED STATE PATENT QFFICE.

DISHGLOTI-I HOLDER.

Application filed June 15, 1923. Serial No. 645,546.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY CHAsE Wrrnnn- BEE, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dishcloth Holders, of which the following is a specification.

Objects of the invention are to provide a holder which will securely grasp and firmly retain a dish cloth without tearing, will facilitate insertion and use of the cloth within a narrow-necked jar, bottle or similar article, will permit satisfactory use of the cloth without dipping the hands in the washing water, will permit ready disengagement and removal of the cloth when desired, and which may be simply and inexpensively con structed as from a piece of wire stock.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation thereof in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof in open position;

Fig. 3 is an edge view; and

Fig. l is a section on line 44 of Fig. 3.

In the particular form illustrated a single piece of wire is bent to form a central coil or helix 1, intermediate arms 2 and 3, and looped jaw members 5 disposed in planes at right angles to that of the helix.

The arms 2 and 3 converge and cross each other as at 4 and beyond this point extend substantially parallel, being held in this position by face engagement of the loops, which overlie each other. Each loop terminates in an inturned extension 6 projecting within the space or aperture enclosed by the other loop.

In use, pressure against the portions 2 and 3 springs the handle portions together and separates the jaws 5 to receive a cloth. Vi hen the handle is released, cloth is gripped and held by the loops 5, each inwardly deflected end 6 laterally deflecting a portion of the cloth through the opposite loop 5, supplementing the frictional engagement of the loops 5 with the cloth to prevent slipping of the cloth. The length of the members 6 is suchas to deflect the cloth without perforating or tearing the same, while securely holding it in place against slipping.

By employment of the invention, the dish cloth may be used for mopping or washing dishes without the necessity of placing the hands in the water, or may be easily inserted within the neck of a preserving jar, milk bottle or the like, and moved about to thoroughly clean the interior of the article.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a resilient handle portion, and similar opposed jaw members carried by the handle portion, said jaw members comprising open loops each having a'laterally deflected terminal portion projecting within the loop of the opposite jaw and substantially filling one dimension thereof.

2. A device of the character described including a handle portion having a coil joining crossed arms, ending in terminal loops constituting holding jaws, said arms beyond the point of crossing being bent to extend substantially parallel to each other when said loops are in engagement with each other, the material forming each of said loops terminating in portions deflected in directions to project within the space enclosed by the loop of the other jaw member, and said loops and portions cooperating to prevent, when said jaws are closed, movement of said arms in directions transverse to their planes of movement on opening and closing of said jaws.

3. A device of the character described comprising crossed arms and terminal gripping portions engaging in a plane, said gripping portions having interlocking portions preventing movement of said crossed arms in planes parallel to their plane of engagement.

i. A device of the character described comprising a central resilient portion, arms extending therefrom, and terminal gripping portions having face engagement with each other and each providing an opening and a blunt projection, said parts being so arranged that each of said projections enters the opening on the other terminal portion.

A device of the character described comprising a looped handle having crossed arms, said arms beyond the point of crossing being bent to extend substantially parallel to each other, and terminal loops forming holding jaws disposed at the ends of the parallel arms, said loops being oppositely curved and each of said loops having its end deflected in a direction to project within the space included within the loop of the opposed jaw member.

the opening on the other terminal portion, and said projections being of a Width substantially to fill one dimension of the openings entered thereby.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts this twelfth day of June 1923.

MARY CHASE \VITHERBEE. 

